Page 260 of The Gods Order

They fly open when another hoot joins his.

I can’t fight back the tears or the smile that takes over my face as the second Vedarya cuddles close to him. Her head nuzzles below his neck and the two of them purr at one another. My men drift closer, rubbing and squeezing my arms as we watch them.

After another moment of their embrace, they both focus on the five of us.

“Well, hello there. Who might you all be?”

The ancient feminine voice hums in my mind. Comforting and confusing. She’s only a couple of days old, yet she sounds like she’s lived lifetimes.

“Ah, my manners have fled me tonight it’d seem. I haven’t even properly introduced myself,” V says as he shifts his feet. “My name is Varnie Godrun, but my friends call me V. This is Lestari Godrun, my mate.”

My fingers press against my lips. It’s taking everything in me not to sob. I force myself to hold strong.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” I choke out. “Lestari. That’s a beautiful name the Valories blessed you with.”

“Oh, they did no such thing,” she says so sassily I chuckle. “V gave me my name when the Valories wouldn’t. They were a touch disgruntled that they had to allow my soul to pass through the Stargate. A name was asking too much.”

“Well, it’s well known they are a selfish creator,” V says. “You can’t expect too much from them if you go against their wishes. I’m not entirely sure how I went against their wishes, but I obviously did.”

I blink. Repeatedly. My gaze shifts from him to my men. They’re just as stunned as I am. He’s…definitely changed.

That’s the first time I’ve heard him speak ill about the Valories.

“Calm your feathers. You’ll figure it out soon. Now we’re getting off on a tangent, dear. Introduce everyone to me,” Lestari says, and I snap my attention back to them.

Hope flares in my heart for a breath. Then it sinks.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know who they are.”

I swallow the lump blooming in my throat and focus on the circles Kyzen rubs on my back.

“Do you know Seismet? Verlet?” I ask.

“Of course. My oldest comrades.”

Thank goodness.

I think Seismet would be heartbroken if he didn’t remember them.

A tinge of jealousy mixes through everything else I’m feeling, but my happiness outweighs it.

“What about the Beginning Gods?”

“Regrettably. I only care for a few of those.”

Same, V. Same.

“Well”—I clear my voice—“this is Riven, Creed, Amick, and Kyzen.”

“Nice to meet you,” both Vedarya say.

“We’re the sons of Obliteration, Creation, and, unfortunately, Accord grew me in her womb. We don’t like any of them, though,” Riven says, then scowls as Amick shushes him. “Don’t make that noise at me. I’m trying to catch him up.”

“Give him time,” Kyzen mutters.

“I’m pleased to hear you do not fall to the side they stand on. Foul, foul creatures they are,” V says, then waves his wing at me. “And who are you, my girl?”

Gods. I don’t know if I can do this.